malcontent
dissatisfied person, often rebellious or resentful
Roots
- com-: with, together, complete, or intensified
- mal: bad or wrong
- ten / tain: hold or keep
Other words with the ten / tain root
- abstain: to hold back from doing or taking something
- contain: to hold inside
- content: satisfied; also something held inside
- contented: satisfied or at peace
- detain: to hold back
- discontent: dissatisfaction or unrest
- impertinent: rude or not properly relevant
Malcontent is bad contentment: mal turns content into restless dissatisfaction.
The malcontent in the group turned every small inconvenience into a revolt.